White House Distances Itself From Robert Jeffress’ Comments on the Salvation of Jews

The White House has distanced itself from Donald Trump spiritual adviser Robert Jeffress’ past comments on the salvation of Jews after criticism over the fact that Southern Baptist pastor led prayer at the Monday opening ceremony of the United States Embassy in Jerusalem.

During Monday’s White House press briefing, White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Raj Shah was questioned about the Dallas megachurch pastor being invited to lead a prayer at the opening of the embassy.

The reporter asked Shah if he though Jeffress is “one of the right people to speak at the opening of our embassy in Israel” given the fact that Jeffress has in the past voiced his theological belief that Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Mormons will not receive salvation in Jesus Christ.

Shah was also asked to give clarification on how it “came to be” that Jeffress was asked to give a prayer at the ceremony.

“Well, I honestly don’t know how that came to be. And I know that Pastor Jeffress has had a strong relationship with many people in the faith community, as well as folks in the administration, and Republicans on the Hill, and others, and I believe Democrats as well,” Shah responded. “So I think that he has a longstanding involvement with public officials. You know, beyond that, I don’t really have a whole lot to add.”

After Shah’s response, the reporter prodded Shah by asking if he thought it was “appropriate” for a person who said that “Jews are going to hell to speak at the opening of our embassy in Israel?”

Although Shah said he hasn’t seen the remarks in question, he assured that such comments “aren’t’ remarks that the president agrees with.”